Talbot hurls 40 pitches, feels good after session

Next step has starter in Arizona to rehab strained right elbow

By David Ely / Special to MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Mitch Talbot had another successful bullpen session on Friday at Angel Stadium, and he'll soon head to extended spring training in Arizona to begin the next phase of his recovery from a strained right elbow.

Talbot threw around 40 pitches in two innings prior to the Indians' series opener against the Angels, comfortably working through all of his pitches.

"The ball felt to me like it was coming out alright," Talbot said. "The two-seam was running pretty well and sinking."

Cleveland pitching coach Tim Belcher said the plan was to have Talbot throw about 50 pitches in three innings on Monday in Goodyear, Ariz., with one or two Minor League assignments down the road.

Talbot has been on the disabled list since April 17. He was 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts before the injury.

Asked if he needs more than one start in the Minors before a return was in order, Talbot said it all depends on how his arm responds to the increasing workload.

"It's hard to say," Talbot said. "I feel good, but it's the recovery, so I won't know until after Monday."

Aggressive approach helping Marson at dish

ANAHEIM -- When Lou Marson made contact off Oakland's Brett Anderson in the eighth inning of Thursday's 4-3 win, the prospect of his first career triple did not immediately enter his mind.

"I thought [the A's outfielder] was going to catch it, and it kind of kicked off the wall," Marson said. "I put my head down and ran hard."

A headfirst slide into third base gave Marson the first triple of his young career, and his RBI single in the 12th scored the eventual game-winning run, punctuating a 3-for-5 night -- another example of Marson making the most of one of his rare starts behind the plate.

In eight starts this season, Marson his hitting .310 (9-for-29) with three doubles, a triple and six RBIs. The Indians are 6-2 in those games.
Marson's numbers come in stark contrast to his production last year, when he hit .195 in 87 games for the Tribe.

"He's been more aggressive at the plate, starting in Spring Training," said Indians manager Manny Acta. "We felt that a lot of times last year he wasn't aggressive enough. It was obvious that he had to do something different, because he's better than what he showed last year."

The change paid off. Marson has recorded at least one hit in six of his eight games -- an impressive feat, considering he has yet to appear in consecutive games this season.

"I think it's been good for me," Marson said of his sporadic schedule. "Makes me keep things simple, go out there and just see the ball and not worry about my mechanics or things like that. When I get a chance to play, I just try to go out and have good at-bats. That's how it should be when you're playing every day, too."

Indians announce Honorary Bat Girl winner

ANAHEIM -- The Indians announced their winner of the 2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest on Friday.

Beth Vanek, of Southington, Ohio, will be honored during an on-field ceremony May 15 before the Indians' game against the Mariners at Progressive Field. Vanek will receive pink MLB merchandise, observe batting practice and receive tickets to that day's game.

Vanek, a hospice nurse, was nominated by a friend because of her "empathy and care for those who are dying from breast cancer," in addition to showing the strength to fight her own battle with breast cancer.

The Honorary Bat Girl program was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer initiative celebrated on Mother's Day. Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is a joint partnership between MLB, its licensed partners and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise awareness about breast cancer, while also raising funds to support breast cancer research.

Smoke signals

Right-hander Carlos Carrasco made a rehab start with Double-A Akron on Friday, giving up four runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings. He also walked three and struck out three. Indians manager Manny Acta had said that Carrasco would soon be back with the club, provided a good outing.

Carrasco (1-1 with a 4.97 ERA through five starts) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 28 after he exited a start in Minnesota with a sore right elbow.

"He's very important to our rotation and to our future," Acta said. "We're really looking to seeing this guy get at least 30 starts this year."

 The Yankees claimed right-hander Jess Todd off waivers on Friday and placed him on their 40-man roster. Todd was designated for assignment by the Indians on April 30 when they called up Alex White from Columbus. Todd appeared in five games for Cleveland last season, posting a 7.50 ERA in six innings.

 The Indians activated outfielder LeVon Washington from extended spring training in Arizona and sent him to Class A Lake County. Washington was the Indians' second round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

David Ely is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.